Fire continues for nearly a week in mountain gorge in Kyrgyzstan

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan has requested further assistance from the government to eliminate a fire in one of the most picturesque gorges in the south of the country, through which the strategic Bishkek-Osh highway runs.

"The Minister of Emergency Situations, Kubatbek Boronov, held an emergency meeting, where he spoke about the threat of the fire spreading and the need to involve additional support," the press service of the Ministry reported.

The fire in the alpine gorge of Chychkan, a favorite vacation spot of the inhabitants of Kyrgyzstan, began on August 13 at the 251-kilometer mark of the Bishkek-Osh highway. 55 hectares of forest were destroyed by fire.